by Payne, Jenna
Emery said, “Safir’s finally pinpointed us, he’s following a group in with the brunt of his shifters. They aren’t being cautious or playing nice.” He was out of breath as if he ran all the way to the main house.
“Fine, make a tight perimeter around here, I’ll meet him as soon as they cross into the clearing,” he said brusquely.
“He’s not going to stop and listen to you, he’s more likely to attack. Especially as you have my scent all over you,” Nora said as a matter of fact.
“I’m not having you go out there into the line of fire,” Weston said. Nora couldn’t help but think that he sounded like Safir – overly protective.
“You’re going to have a nasty fight on your hands if you don’t let him see me as soon as he comes into the clearing,” she said, not backing down. Weston studied her a moment and then sighed harshly.
“Fine, but you stay behind me, I don’t care what he does.” Nora wanted to roll her eyes at him, but held back on it. She followed Weston outside and saw that Emery worked quickly in spreading Weston’s orders and getting everyone ready. She stood slightly behind Weston on the porch of the cabin. He was still in his human form, while the rest of his pride were in lion form. Two minutes later Safir’s lions broke through the trees. It was honestly hard to tell each lion apart, as they all looked similar.
Weston tensed before Nora as she tried to look around him, Safir’s shifters were surrounding the smaller group of lions protecting the compound and closing in. One broke rank though, boldly snapping his way through to the porch. A breath of relief escaped Nora’s lips when he shifted and she saw that it was Safir. Her entire chest suffused with happiness at the sight of him. She had not realized how much she had longed to see him again.
“Safir!” she said and stepped around Weston, he took her up into a tight hug, but soon tucked her away at his side. His attention on Weston, a harsh scowl on his face. “Wait! Safir, Weston only wants to speak with you…civilly.” Nora said, getting in between the two while on the ground their prides growled at each other.
“What? You’re defending him Nora? He kidnapped you! And if he wanted to talk he would have come by himself from the beginning,” Safir said, though he directed his anger at Weston and took a menacing step towards him.
“It wasn’t that simple, Safir. Let me explain, just the two of us,” Weston said. Nora had to give Safir credit, instead of brushing off his words and attacking Weston, Safir glanced at her and took a deep breath.
“There’s no need to injure any more of our own kind,” Weston added.
“Fine…let’s talk.” Safir said through clenched teeth. He glanced at his shifters below and gave a gesture for them to stand down. Almost immediately they fell back and shifted to their human forms. Weston did the same to his shifters, who were many. They all changed to human form as well.
“So…” Safir said, his arms crossed over his chest.
“Why don’t we talk inside?” Weston suggested. “I can send my guys away, you can do the same so they aren’t out here bristling for a fight.” Nora could tell that Safir didn’t like to be ordered, especially as he was head of his own pride. Weston demonstrated a gesture of peace and shouted a command to his shifters. With only a little protest they slowly dissipated, and went into the trees. Safir sighed and sent his lions away as well. They slowly and reluctantly left the clearing.
“It’s better that it’s just us,” Weston sighed. He went ahead inside, leaving the door open for them to follow. Nora smiled a bit tentatively up at Safir and he brushed some of her hair behind her ear.
“I’m so sorry,” he murmured. Then he bent his head and kissed her softly. She wanted more from him, she wanted him to hold her, but they didn’t have time for that. “You smell like him,” Safir said, his eyebrows drawn together slightly. “Did he hurt you?” he asked and Nora shook her head, feeling guilty as ever.
“Come on, let’s go talk to him,” she said and took Safir’s hand, leading him inside. Weston was in the living room, waiting for them. Nora took a seat on the couch while Safir stayed standing near the entryway, Weston stood across the room, closer to the windows.
“So…what’s up?” Safir asked him. “Why’d you move in on our territory, and how did you get access to this site?”
“I have friends with the wolves up here, they gave us temporary asylum.”
“Asylum? Were you kicked out of your own lands?” Safir asked and Weston tilted his head to the side. He launched into his story, telling Safir a bit more detailed version of what he told Nora surrounding what brought him and his pride to Lion’s Bay. By the time Weston finished speaking Safir had sat down at one of the sofa chairs. His fingers steepled under his chin and an intent look on his face.
“Well shit…” she breathed.
*****
“So…are you going to let them integrate with us?” Nora asked Safir after a moment too long of silence.
“Integrate?” Safir snorted and shook his head slowly. “I don’t know how that will go, our guys have been at it for days.”
“Yes but have they really been fighting?” Weston asked him carefully.
“Well no…it took us—well me a little bit to realize that your guys weren’t being aggressive. I was just pissed because you took Nora,” Safir admitted.
“So will you consider integration of the prides? Because my guys really need a break after everything in Oregon…and a home really.”
“I couldn’t actually turn my back on our own kind…I wouldn’t,” Safir said solemnly. He stood up and walked over to shake Weston’s hand. Nora breathed a sigh of relief, a huge weight lifted off her shoulders.
“Great, I need a serious drink,” she said, making Safir laugh and Weston smirk in response.
“She hasn’t been a prisoner here, by the way,” Weston said, “she was five percent captive, ninety-five percent free.”
“Good, because if you’d have harmed her I would have killed you,” Safir said pleasantly.
“Let’s not backslide guys, how about that drink?” Nora said, growing a little nervous.
“What did you do with her while I was blind with rage?” Safir asked Weston, their hands still gripped together in what was supposed to be a handshake.
“Safir…” he glanced at her and quirked an eyebrow.
“Do you want to tell me?”
“We kissed, and I…really like him,” she said, all the words sort of just tumbling from her mouth. She couldn’t handle the pressure, she really couldn’t.
“You kissed him?” Safir asked, his hand falling away from Weston’s. Oddly enough he wasn’t exactly angry, he seemed more rueful than anything. “Figures,” he sighed.
“You’re not mad?” she asked him anxiously and with disbelief in her tone.
“No…” he glanced at her with a small smile that was quickly turning into a mischievous smirk.
“You aren’t?” Weston asked, his expression impressed and she saw that he respected Safir already.
“No, I mean I’m a little sad, Nora sees something in you that…I’m not fulfilling for her. But if we both can make her happy…” Nora’s jaw dropped. She wasn’t prepared for that in the slightest. She expected him to go into some sort of jealous fit than be accepting of her feelings for Weston. “But one thing I won’t do is let her go,” Safir said with conviction. Nora stared at Safir with wide eyes…maybe he’d changed in the time he spent without her.
“I wouldn’t let her go either…” Weston said, his gaze swinging over to Nora.
“Safir…are you serious?” she asked him, shock thick in her voice. He simply gave her a small smile that melted her heart and nodded. His gaze never wavered or showed signs of reticence.
“All this time I spent running around and ordering the pride around in anger and frankly…jealousy. I couldn’t stand the thought of some other shifter having you. But all of that was blinding me to what was actually happening. When I let all those feelings go I was led right to you,” he simply shrugg
ed and Nora felt her chest swell with emotion.
“Alright then, um…I don’t know about you guys but…I’m still up for that drink,” she said and slowly moved towards the kitchen. Safir chuckled while Weston simply watched her, his eyes a bit predatory. She suddenly felt as if she had to catch her breath. Her sandwich contents were still pushed back on the kitchen island, where Weston had her up on not very long ago. She put all that stuff away and grabbed the bottle of tequila she spotted in the back of the fridge, followed by three glasses.
“Shots?” she said when she turned around and found them both in the kitchen with her.
“Sure, we could all use it,” Weston said. Nora poured everyone a double shot and then two more of those in succession. It didn’t take very long for her to get tipsy, but it took nearly half the full bottle of tequila to affect both Weston and Safir.
“Take another shot Nora,” Safir poked her in the side and she giggled as she flinched away from him.
“I can’t, if I do I won’t be attractive drunk, I’ll get really sloppy,” she said, making Weston laugh.
“You’re right actually, I remember that Memorial Day party we went to, it wasn’t the best,” Safir said and she giggled again.
“I have to say I’m not that used to giggly Nora, more like intense, sexy without trying Nora,” Weston said and Safir snorted.
“The sexy part is all the time, yeah, but she’s normally fun-loving,” Safir told him.
“You know guys I’m right here,” she said lazily.
“We know…” Weston said, he moved behind her, pulling her against his chest just as Safir simultaneously pressed against her from the front. Nora’s breath caught in her throat when she felt Weston’s lips on her nape. She tilted her head so he could have more access and met Safir’s kiss in the process. He licked almost hungrily into her mouth and pressed his hips flush against hers. She felt his erection and squirmed against him. Weston pressed tighter against her as well and she gasped when she felt his hardness against her back.
Safir pulled away from her slightly and Weston scooped her up into his arms. Before she knew it they all were in her bedroom and Weston was lowering her onto the bed. He climbed up next to her and bent down to kiss her while Safir pulled off her pants and trailed kisses along her calves. Nora felt all hot and wrapped up in lust, she wanted both of them with an odd fierceness that took her by surprise.
Weston pulled off her shirt and unhooked her bra with ease while Safir slid her panties off. She felt as if she would combust with their lips on her. Weston slid down to her breasts while he kneaded them in his hands, and Safir’s lips inched closer to her inner thighs. By the time Weston pulled one of her nipples into his mouth, Safir’s lips reached her sensitive folds, his tongue delved in to slide against her clitoris.
“Oh my god…” Nora gasped, out of breath from panting so much. She couldn’t lie still, pleasure was coursing through her with every beat of her heart and it was racing. It wasn’t long before she was shooting off into a mind-shattering orgasm. She swore she saw colors explode around her as her body was rocked with wave after wave of intense pleasure. She hadn’t even come down from her orgasm yet before Safir was nudging her legs farther apart and sliding into her. She cried out as he filled her up, her back arching to meet his thrusts. She was only a little distracted by Weston then, he had taken off his clothes and was beautifully naked next to her on the bed. He kissed her once before offering her his impressive erection. She took it into her hand and soon had him in her mouth. When another orgasm hit her Weston and Safir switched positions. They went at it until Nora was little more than a puddle on the mattress, passed out and completely sated.
*****
Nora woke to the sounds of Safir and Weston talking. They were speaking in low voices and on either side of her. She stretched, feeling like her body had the best internal massage ever, and opened her eyes. Tan and golden eyes met hers and both had tender expressions, though Safir smiled and Weston simply caressed her jaw.
“Good morning sleepyhead,” Safir said, his smile growing.
“Morning…” she said, feeling all of a sudden shy. Though she really shouldn’t after the night they had before.
“How do you feel?” Weston asked her, humor in his voice.
“Really good,” she said with a chuckle.
“No hangover?” he asked, seeming impressed.
“No…I think the orgasms kept me from having one maybe…if that’s possible,” she joked.
“So Weston and I were just talking…” Safir said and she glanced at him curiously.
“We came up with a way to successfully merge the prides. It’s kind of a necessity now…I’m like Safir, not letting you go,” Weston told her. Nora’s chest filled with warmth and hope as she smiled at him. She really did have feelings for Weston and wouldn’t want him out of her life either.
“So what are you going to do to merge the prides,” she asked.
“First we’re going to talk to the neighboring wolves to get them to agree to extend the duration of our sanctuary here. Then slowly, but steadily integrate my guys into Lion’s Bay. They’d move into town just like any human, then only when everyone is settled will we merge the shifters into one pride…Safir staying its leader and me taking position as his second,” Weston explained.
“That sounds perfect,” Nora said happily. “Have you told the other lions yet?” she asked them and they shook their heads.
“First we’ll get our sanctuary here extended then get everyone together to tell them what’s going on…” Safir said.
“…but?” Nora heard the slight waver without him voicing it.
“But I just want to make sure you’re okay with our both wanting you as mate…we wouldn’t be able to have a human marriage. And…we’d essentially be sharing you,” he pointed out. Nora smirked and shrugged a little.
“That’s alright with me, as long as you’re both in my life as in more than friends. As long as we have some kind of commitment bonding us together,” she said.
“Of course, we can make vows in front of the pride once it’s merged,” Weston suggested.
“It’d be the perfect way to start our union officially,” Safir said thoughtfully.
“I like it,” Nora said with a smile.
“Great, now let’s shower and get something to eat,” Safir suggested. Nora held her arms out then.
“I think you’ll have to carry me, I doubt my legs are still working,” she said and Weston laughed almost dangerously.
“Oh Nora, Nora, Nora…are you going to be in for a treat,” he chuckled, making her crack up. He kissed her on the cheek and Safir gave her a light peck on the lips.
“Come on, we need our Nora up and running,” he said and Weston pulled her up.
“So technically…are you guys my concubines?” she asked curiously, only mostly joking.
“Depends on your definition, sure we’ll draw baths for you and feed you, no problem. But in bed you’re being dominated, no doubt about it,” Safir said, grinning at her.
Nora thought getting ready the morning after marathon sex with just Safir was a process, but getting ready the morning after with both Weston and Safir…that was an entirely different deal. But strange as it was Nora couldn’t be happier, literally. Weston and Safir oddly balanced each other out and fit two sides of her like puzzle pieces.
“So…your summer is turning out to be pretty eventful huh?” Safir asked her while they ae a quick breakfast.
“Yeah actually…I don’t think I can share with my class what I did this summer though. I might have to make something up…say I went to Seattle or something,” she said.
“This is going to be a little weird at first, but I think it’ll work,” he said and Nora glanced over at Weston who was grabbing orange juice from the fridge.
“Well you were a little weird when we first met, but it worked out,” she said and heard Weston chuckle. Safir smiled ruefully at her, but pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Same w
ith Weston…” she added and he simply laughed.
“Our shifters will be fine, as long as they’re with their own…and you know we’d be the largest lion pride in the north,” West pointed out.
“We’re stronger unified,” Safir said, stating the obvious though it was so true. Nora smiled to herself, she was excited about the rest of the summer, only a little scared, but so looking forward to what was ahead.
THE END
Bonus Story 29 of 40
Heart of the Werewolf King
I had just returned home after work, and was eating mango sorbet out of the tub while watching a movie. It was Friday evening, and I had my sweats on and was ready for a night in after a long week. However, my roommate, Jessa, had other plans. The front door of our two-bedroom apartment slammed open as she ran in excitedly, waving a sheet of folded, deep blue paper in the air.
“Guess what?” she said breathlessly. I looked away from our tiny television and shrugged.
“Promotion?” I guessed.
“No.”
“Boy toy?”
“Nope!”
“Free cake?”
“No. Jeez, Kat. I got the password to Club Walpurgis!” She squealed in excitement as I groaned.
“I have plans, Jess,” I said, gesturing to the television.
“With?”
“Myself, my sweats, and the TV,” I replied.
“Oh, come on! How often do you get the chance to visit an urban legend?” she said.
I had to admit, she was right. Club Walpurgis was an underground nightclub that you needed not only the password to get in to, but also the details on where it was being held. When it was being held was easy—it only convened on Sabbats, or Witches’ holidays. It was rumored to be run by a high priestess of a coven of witches and a werewolf king in order to appease the supernatural by creating a large gathering of humans.
“So, what Sabbat is it?” I asked, taking a bite of sorbet. I wasn’t entirely sure that I believed in the existence of werewolves and vampires, but I sought to appease Jess.
